CSUS Approves Tuition Freeze That Might Not Hold

Rell Is Calling For the University of Connecticut To Consider A Tuition Freeze

September 23, 2010|By KATHLEEN MEGAN, kathy.megan@courant.com

After facing heavy criticism from the governor and legislators in the past year, the Connecticut State University System board of trustees took several steps Thursday that won wide approval.

It pledged — if possible —- to freeze tuition for next year, and it froze nonunion salaries for 2011-12. The board also rescinded a controversial personnel policy passed in 2007 that contributed to division within the board, creating what some called an "A" team and a "B" team.

The tuition freeze, the first in 10 years for the system's four universities — Central, Eastern, Western and Southern state universities — was passed unanimously with the caveat that if the universities face substantial financial cutbacks in the coming months, the board might have to re-examine the freeze and possibly lift it.

With the state facing a budget deficit of $3.4 billion, it is possible, and some say likely, that all state agencies, including the state universities, will face serious cutbacks in funding.

Board Chairman Karl J. Krapek called the tuition freeze "a bold move," especially because the state universities had to absorb a $15 million cutback this year — money pulled back by the state to help balance the budget. Krapek said that there already is evidence of reductions in university programs, noting that Eastern had to cut back on its freshman programs.

"This is a great recommendation, but we are going to have to find the funds," said Krapek. He warned that if the university system suffers a "brutal cut" in the state budget, the freeze will have to be reconsidered.

"We may have to revisit this, but for now, I think it's the right thing to do," Krapek said.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell said in a statement that "the decision is proper and necessary — and will be welcomed by students and their parents."

However, Michael P. Meotti, the state's commissioner of higher education, said, "I would caution parents and students that it's premature to bank on a freeze. We know the year we are in for. If this freeze is contingent on any specific kind of budget allotment, I wouldn't bank on it."

State Rep. Roberta Willis, D-Salisbury, a co-chairwoman of the higher education committee, said that the board's action was "a step in the right direction."

"They are trying to get back into our good graces," said Willis. "I think that in terms of the perception that was out there, they needed to take some sort of a bold step to get back into everybody's good graces."

In her statement, Rell also called for the University of Connecticut "to follow the example of the CSU System." Larry McHugh, chairman of the UConn board, said that the board has frozen nonunion salaries for next year, but would have to wait to see the level of state support before deciding on tuition. "I'm not ruling [a freeze] out," he said, "but we haven't had the discussion yet."

This fall, commuter students at Eastern, Western, Southern and Central faced a 6.3 percent tuition increase that amounted to an average increase of about $477. Average tuition for commuters is $8,043. For residential students this fall, the increase was 6.6 percent, or a $950 increase. Residential students are paying an average of $17,997.

Corey Smolen, a senior at Eastern who will be returning in the fall for one more semester, said he was pleased with news of the possible freeze. "It's really good news," he said. "I'm surprised."

Smolen said he was $13,000 in debt for tuition costs.

At Thursday's meeting, which was held at Eastern, the board also imposed a salary freeze for the next academic year on 165 nonunion employees and managers, the second such freeze in the past three years. Next year's freeze is expected to save $1.5 million.

After a salary freeze in the 2009-10 academic year, the trustees were criticized this summer for approving raises for this fall ranging from 5 percent to 10 percent. Rell called the raises "intolerable" in a time of deep recession. Subsequently, the board reduced the raises to no more than 5 percent.

The personnel policy that was rescinded involved a measure approved in January 2007 that allowed the board's executive committee to make decisions on human resources and personnel matters without having to consult the entire board.

In late May, legislators held a hearing that looked at these and other practices of the board. Board Member Gail H. Williams told legislators that the board was divided into an "A" team — whose members included the executive committee — and a "B" team that was not kept informed of all board matters.

Krapek said Thursday that he supported rescinding the policy to improve "transparency" on the board and to keep board members working together.

Not yet addressed by the board is a personnel policy passed in October, 2009 that allowed CSUS Chancellor David Carter to force out Cheryl Norton, the former president of Southern Connecticut State University, without having to have a vote of the entire board. A subcommittee is studying that policy and is expected to report to the board in the near future.